How can I pimp green my ride?
Driving a car that's had more than a few birthdays and wish you could make it greener? Whether your concern is centered on air quality, climate change or just saving a few bucks as fuel prices rise, there are many ways you can accomplish this goal using your common sense or perhaps a little modern technology. We've compiled some of these for your perusal below the fold but since we have some pretty astute readers, we hope you'll leave your own suggestions in the comments section as well.Photo by Joe Thorn. Licensed under Creative Commons license 2.0.
Forget the gadgets
Whether you possess your dog-eared ride because of unpleasant fiscal realities or you're just absolutely sure they'll never make another car quite like the AMC Pacer, there are some obvious and, perhaps, not so obvious things you can do to minimize it's environmental impact. While there are copious amounts of gadgets and mystery mileage-booster potions out there, likely the best thing you can do is keep the car in good operating condition. Forget about sticking magnets or other devices on your fuel lines, forgo the do-dads in your air intake and don't fall for the ol' hydrogen gas from electrolysis with extra alternator juice. Instead, treat your wheels to regular tune-ups that keep your engine running as efficiently as possible. Speaking of wheels, keeping them properly inflated is sensible and green.
Driving Green
You can extend that efficiency concept to your driving style as well. Many folks force their cars to wear smaller carbon shoes using certain driving techniques. Extreme use of these is almost a sport and is popularly known as hypemiling. There are lots of little tricks that can be employed that can together make a huge difference. While some might be a little dangerous, there are plenty of common sensical ones anyone can do, like avoiding drive-thrus and not speeding.
Gallery: Hypermiling the Toyota iQ
Sweet sorrow
If your car is a couple decades old, you might consider the sweet sorrow of parting with it forever and picking yourself up something from the 21st century. Although scrapping the old and buying new is thought to be less eco-friendly because of emissions created in manufacturing, vehicles built before Bill was POTUS often lack the pollution controls that more recent models possess.
Old dog, new trick
If you really like your existing car, you can keep the look but update the powertrain. It's possible to convert just about any car to an all-electric and just get rid of that tail pipe altogether (Don't forget about the "long tailpipe" though.) Another type of conversion that may make it to market soon would turn your heap into a hybrid. If it's already a hybrid, you may be able to convert it to a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) through companies like PICC or Hymotion. If you have a car that's a true classic, you may be able to put in a more efficient motor and transmission but that will likely reduce its value. To keep it real and green (and valuable), we suggest you keep it garaged except for rare special occasions.
The greenest mile
Speaking of keeping it garaged, the greenest trip is the one not taken and one of the easiest ways to go green is also the easiest to accomplish since it involves only inaction. Simply don't go. Sit. Stay. Done. Of course, most of us have places we need to travel to but we can often find alternatives to cranking up the beast and heading out on the highway solo. So, let us know how you keep your PMPG low.
Thanks to Adam for submitting this week's Greenlings question. To submit a topic you'd like us to cover in a future column, go here.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
89sho 9:07PM (7/02/2009)
My solution was to make my 2007 Navigator L into a dual fuel CNG burner.
On CNG I pay about a dollar per gallon depending on the price of CNG in Utah any given week.
No loss of performance and extending the range an extra 200 miles combined gets me over 600-mile range on both gas and CNG tanks.
Best part is I do not give up an awesome ride, it burns clean and I do not have to pay a lot to drive it...
Reply
Jimbo 11:50AM (7/03/2009)
Where do I acquire this wondrous CNG contraption?
~Jimbo
P.S. Major props on the '89 SHO, dude. That was the fastest and lightest of all SHO's, and it only came in a stick [autobox FTL]
89sho 12:52PM (7/03/2009)
By the time I got rid of the SHO the engine still ran great but the rest of the car was falling appart and the body was flexing badly with 250K+ on the clock...
I used CNG out-fitters in St. George, UT. at just over $4,500 for the conversion...
KenZ 3:46AM (7/03/2009)
I don't know if it pays for itself, but getting an instantaneous fuel economy meter that plugs into any not-too-old OBDII port is a great way to train yourself to drive efficiently. I have a ScanGauge (newest version is the XGauge) which is fairly well rated. Most of all, it's FUN to see how your mileage raises and drops based upon your pedal actions. Highly recommend it if you've got some money to burn.
Reply
aviv 5:15AM (7/03/2009)
Tricks that have worked for me:
1) Keep the A/C/ Heater thermostat at the warmest/ coolest setting without causing discomfort. Better yet, don't use AC at all. Keep windows 20% open on highway drives.
2) Lifetime air Filter (K&N etc.) - Increases Air flow, reduces the number of filters discarded over the life of the vehicle
3) Low Rolling Resistance Tires (Michelin Energy etc.) - Simple swap to high silica tyres saves significant fuel through reduced rolling resistance. Avoid the urge to modify tyre size. Wider tyres = more friction
4) Use the lowest friction, thinnest grade engine oil possible
5) Use a Complete fuel system cleaner that lubricates the Upper Cylinder walls (Gumout just launched a great product for $10)
6) Ensure Transmission and Differential fluids are replaced every 30K miles (especially on older cars)
7) Evolving the Driving Style - Coast to a stop waaay in advance, Keep the lightest foot possible on the gas and
Reply
matt 8:50AM (7/06/2009)
Perhaps you should have written the article for ABG instead.... Your 7 suggestions are way better.
diffrunt 5:25AM (7/03/2009)
Keep a light right foot---on both pedals.
Reply
CSN 6:39AM (7/03/2009)
"1) Keep the A/C/ Heater thermostat at the warmest/ coolest setting without causing discomfort. Better yet, don't use AC at all. Keep windows 20% open on highway drives."
No, above some speed, let's call it 45mph, it's better to use the AC than to have the windows open, causing aerodynamic drag. So drop the top around town but seal up and turn on the AC (minimally as you suggested) on the highway. And hopefully everyone reading this is smart enough to not run the AC with the windows open!
And using the heater is free other than the electricity to power the fan, it's just waste heat from the engine that would otherwise be expelled from your radiator out into the air. So if anything turn the temperature up and keep the fan low when you need it.
Reply
LiveandLetDrive 7:11AM (7/03/2009)
"4) Use the lowest friction, thinnest grade engine oil possible"
Also, if possible on your application, run a higher temperature thermostat. Many older cars, like the millions with Chevy V8's in them, have had their thermostats changed for a lower temperature type (say 160ºF) in a vain attempt to make their engine run cooler. In reality the thermostat just sets the minimum temperature your engine will run at (to help with warming up). Running hotter will make your oil less viscous (less internal power-wasting drag) and hotter cylinder walls also cause combustion to me more efficient. This should really be done by someone who is going to keep an eye on it to make sure it isn't running TOO hot and potentially detonating. There are many engines out there that run too cold though, heat in moderation is your engine's friend.
Reply
Brian 11:44AM (7/03/2009)
Rolling your windows down 20% will not cause significant drag on your vehicle. 100% will cause drag at highway speeds for cars that have better aerodynamics (i.e smaller cars). But there's not much difference when you're talking large SUVs since you're already pushing a large brick through the air anyway. Having the A/C on will affect smaller cars more so than larger vehicles with bigger engines. Rollin the windows down 20% with no A/C is the best compromise.
Reply
Luke 8:03PM (7/03/2009)
Just go to eccomodder.com and learn everything those guys are talking about. The list of thing you can do is almost limitless.
Reply